Interview With a Janeite, Special Guest Carole in Canada!

This month, it is our pleasure to welcome avid Jane Austen enthusiast Carole in Canada to the blog. Thank you for joining us, Carole! She has some delightful thoughts to share about Jane Austen, and the community of admirers who love her work.

She is graciously hosted this month by Jack Caldwell, and Jack has offered his complete Crescent City trilogy as a welcome gift. What a treat! We invite you to sit back and enjoy their little chat.


Books, Movies, or JAFF: How did you first discover Jane Austen?

I first discovered Jane Austen via the 1995 Andrew Davies Pride & Prejudice production and my love was born!  Since then, I was on the hunt for any movies, books and JAFF (which was limited back in 1995) that I could get my hands on.  There has been an absolute explosion in the past several years, but I am not complaining!  I just need more time to read as many as I can!

Which is your favorite Jane Austen couple, and why?

My favourite Jane Austen couple is Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy.  Why…?

The impertinence and joie de vivre of Elizabeth and the reserved but intelligent Mr. Darcy provide such balance to each other.  The undercurrents of their passionate natures strike a chord with me.

Why do you think Jane Austen’s work is so wildly popular today?

I feel Jane’s work is so wildly popular today for many reasons (in no particular order):

  1. Her ability to ‘sketch’ a character
  2. Her wit
  3. The respect and civility of manners that seems so lacking in the world today
  4. The ability to provide a set down without swearing
  5. Each of us knows someone within our friends and family that we can relate to one of her characters – people have not changed over the past 200 years
  6. An opportunity to go back to a time that we feel is less hectic and where we are not bombarded by media of any sort other than the written word in newspapers/books.  I wouldn’t necessarily call it a simpler time as war was a constant, life was hard/short, there was still murder/mayhem…you just didn’t hear about it constantly,  there were unscrupulous people etc.
  7. The beauty of her writing
  8. Her sense of right and wrong that is embedded in her work.

 

Why do you think the JAFF community is so special?

I think the JAFF community is so special for various reasons as well.  We can talk about our love of Jane, her books, and JAFF and are immediately understood.  We don’t need to explain ourselves or justify why we love it.  Believe me, I gave up trying to explain to my own sisters my obsession with Jane and the JAFF community.  There is such a camaraderie and generous spirit that exists within this community.  Each of us are given a chance to be heard and supported in their endeavors, be they author, blogger, reviewer, and/or commentator/participant.  Each are valued, supported and encouraged.

Are there story ideas you would like to see explored someday, or have you thought about writing your own?

As the years have gone by, I have been amazed, delighted and surprised with the story ideas authors have come up with.  I love when secondary characters are given ‘a voice’ and more stories are being written for them.  Kitty Bennet is a favourite of mine, but I think I would like to see more on Jane Bennet.  I am not one to get upset with her being given another character to fall in love with…but I do love her with Bingley especially when he is given a spine!  As for writing one myself, well let’s just say, years ago I thought I might, but it took me years to have the confidence to write reviews, so I will leave it to others to put forth their ideas for our enjoyment!

What would you like to see more of here at Austen Variations?

Oh, that is a tough one!  I have been a long  time follower and have enjoyed Austen Variations.  What about posts on Regency fashions, accessories and dare I say…lace?  We don’t want to send Mr. Bennet to the library nor set off Mrs. Bennet’s nerves!


 

What Questions do you have for Jack Caldwell?

Jack, do you plan to continue expanding your Fighting Men series beyond ‘Rosings’ and ‘Persuaded’?   ‘The Three Colonels’ is an all-time favourite and I have ‘The Last Adventure of the Scarlet Pimpernel’ to read soon. 

Carole, thank you for your kind words about THE THREE COLONELS. As for more books in the series, it all depends on the muse!

I write historical romance, with the focus on historical. Jane Austen didn’t realize it, but she lived during a pivotal point in world history. Napoleon Bonaparte was trying to conquer Europe, the infant United States wanted to expand throughout North America while Britain was expanding its colonial empire, and the Industrial Revolution had just begun. That’s why I chose to write about Waterloo (THE THREE COLONELS, THE LAST ADVENTURE OF THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL, PERSUADED TO SAIL) and the period following—the Year Without Summer and the late Regency (ROSINGS PARK). Austen’s characters lived during this time, so these two things come together very nicely!

I need a story to tell, and ROSINGS does a good job describing life in post-war England during a severe depression, and all the unrest that comes with it. How the Darcys, Fitzwilliams, Bufords, and others deal with a world changing in ways they cannot predict.

I’ve toyed around with a book about Lydia’s adventures with her Colonel Denny during the East India Company rule in India (the Company Raj – 1757-1858), particularly during the administration of Governor-General Francis Rawdon-Hastings, 1st Marquess of Hastings (1813-1823). The Third Anglo-Maratha War occurred from November 1817 to February 1818, which puts Lydia and Denny there. Of course, a story about Lydia wouldn’t be heavy lifting, like COLONELS. After all, we’re talking about Lydia here. Imagine the colonel’s pretty, flibbertigibbet wife, enchanted with the colorful saris of India, and what a commotion in the expatriate community that would cause! I’d have to put in A LOT of research on Indian history to do it justice, and I’ve got other books on tap to write.

In a way, there is another book already out there that takes place during this timeline. THE PLAINS OF CHALMETTE features a distant Darcy relation fighting for the Americans and a disinherited brother of Colonel Fitzwilliam on the British side. While it’s part of a different universe (the CRESCENT CITY series), you might enjoy it.

I want to personally thank you for supporting us authors by reading our books.

Jack Caldwell

It takes a real man to write historical romance

 


 

Carole in Canada lives by the water in the idyllic Prince Edward County in Ontario, Canada…not to be confused with the province of Prince Edward Island… where she immerses herself in all things Jane and trolls auction sites for bits of history related to the time period. When not reading and reviewing JAFF, Victorian/Edwardian/Cozy Murder Mysteries, etc, she is spending time with family (2 grandchildren ages 3 and 6), playing cards with her 92 year old mother-in-law, kayaking, going to workout or visiting family in the U.S. and more than tolerates her husband’s interest in militaria of the 18th and 19th Century.  Which, coincidentally, meshes with her interests from the same era!

 

 

42 comments

Skip to comment form

    • Kathy Schmitt on August 19, 2017 at 12:38 am
    • Reply

    Congratulations Carole! As a result of my interview, I enjoyed my 15 minutes of fame and I hope you do as well. It’s fun to answer the questions, isn’t it? Getting to pin Jack Caldwell down isn’t the easiest, but your questions were excellent.

      • Carole in Canada on August 19, 2017 at 9:45 am
      • Reply

      Thanks Kathy! It is fun to spread the word of Jane and get to know others that we see by name on a regular basis. As for getting to pin Jack down, he is a wily character, but I do hope he will explore Lydia and Denny in India!

      1. Wily is my middle name!

  1. Congratulations, Carole. I love learning more about you and your thoughts on JAFF. That’s a great picture of you and looks like you are having a good walk! 🙂 Great questions for Jack Caldwell.

      • Carole in Canada on August 19, 2017 at 10:04 am
      • Reply

      Thank you Janet T.! It was fun and I am always learning new things about Jane and the JAFF community as each year goes by. I was a bit hesitant to put my picture out there, but I was having my Jane Austen/Elizabeth Bennet moment when I was over in Ireland last year, so I thought it only appropriate to use it here! I just didn’t land in any mud! It was a lovely walk up this long path in Portmagee on the Iveragh Peninsula to look out to the Skellig Islands.

  2. What a marvellous pleasure it was to learn more about you, you fascinating creature. One hopes to share tea with you one day, perhaps beside the Brighton coastline.

      • Carole in Canada on August 19, 2017 at 11:07 am
      • Reply

      Why thank you for your kind words sir and for honouring me by responding. I know how busy your schedule is. As for sharing tea one day with you on the Brighton coastline, I would be delighted! Would Mrs. Wickham be joining us? I could bring my husband so you two could talk militaria and Mrs. Wickham and I could ‘share’ stories!

      1. What a marvellous folly that would be!

        1. George, you’re dead in this universe, remember?

          1. Alas, sir, I believe your muse has misled you!

  3. Great interview! And I love your comment about lace. “No lace, I beg you…” 😉

    • Carole in Canada on August 19, 2017 at 11:24 am
    • Reply

    Haha! I always loved Mr. Bennet’s aversion to lace! It must have been the cost!

  4. What fun to turn the tables, Carole, and hear more about you! Thanks for your thoughts and insights about our dear Jane and JAFF. 😀

      • Carole in Canada on August 19, 2017 at 1:17 pm
      • Reply

      Thank you Shannon! Yes, it has been fun and I have really enjoyed answering these questions and being a part of this series!

  5. How wonderful to get to know Carole better. Loved this post! What a special community we have!

      • Carole in Canada on August 19, 2017 at 1:19 pm
      • Reply

      Thank you Anna! It is such a special community that is warm, inviting and oh so supportive to all!

  6. A lovely interview!! I really enjoyed learning more about you, Carole! I especially enjoyed your reasons why we continue to read Jane Austen’s works–spot on!! 🙂

    Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us, and thanks to Nicole and Mr. Caldwell for their contributions as well!

    Warmly,
    Susanne 🙂

      • Carole in Canada on August 19, 2017 at 5:01 pm
      • Reply

      Thank you Susanne! I’m glad you enjoyed and agreed with my reasons why we continue to read Jane Austen’s work. I’m sure there are a wealth of other reasons but these were the ones that came to my mind.

    1. Thank you for your support, Susanne.

  7. How great to have a chance to get to know the person behind all those wonderful comments! Thanks for visiting with us, Carole.

      • Carole in Canada on August 19, 2017 at 5:03 pm
      • Reply

      That is so kind Abigail. I certainly enjoy all the books and post you all do here on Austen Variations!

  8. It’s great to get to know you, Carole! Thanks so much for taking the time!

      • Carole in Canada on August 19, 2017 at 5:04 pm
      • Reply

      Thanks Leslie! I so enjoyed it!

    • Glynis on August 19, 2017 at 3:47 pm
    • Reply

    What a great interview Carole! I loved your reasons why people still love Jane Austen’s work, especially no 1. I think it is because her characters are so well written that people can imagine them so clearly. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

      • Carole in Canada on August 19, 2017 at 5:06 pm
      • Reply

      Thank you Glynis! It is so true that because Jane’s characters are so well written that people can imagine them so clearly and has made them so real! She and her characters have become immortal!

    • Carole in Canada on August 19, 2017 at 5:09 pm
    • Reply

    Jack and Nicole, I want to thank you so much for inviting me and interviewing me for this series. You and all the other authors have provided us with endless hours of enjoyment with your imaginations. Thank you and I look forward to many more! May the Muse be with you all!

    1. The pleasure is entirely ours! It was an absolute delight visiting with you over the post, and I am so glad you enjoyed it. You shared some wonderful insights about the world of Jane, what a treat you gave us!

    2. Carole, it was an honor. We do what we do for people like you. Take a bow!

      (PS – the muse says hi!)

    • Mary on August 19, 2017 at 7:37 pm
    • Reply

    Carole,it was a pleasure learning more about you and especially nice to put a face to the name!!

    I agree wholeheartedly with your statement about the great spirit of generosity that exists among the JAFF. I think it’s the fact that,like you said,our opinions are acknowledged,valued and accepted by others that makes this community so warm and welcoming.

    To think that authors,bloggers,readers and reviewers can all meet up online,share recommendations and opinions on all things Jane,is simply a wonderful thing. It has certainly enriched my life!

    Thanks to all concerned for this great post! Carole,it was lovely to ‘meet’ you!

      • Carole in Canada on August 19, 2017 at 9:05 pm
      • Reply

      Thank you Mary! You are absolutely correct, the JAFF community ‘has certainly enriched my life’ as well. I look forward to ‘meeting’ others as the interviews continue. I like learning the diversity of individuals that love all things Jane!

    • Christina Boyd on August 19, 2017 at 7:54 pm
    • Reply

    Fascinating interview! And enjoyed getting to know the lovely Carole of Canada better.

      • Carole in Canada on August 19, 2017 at 9:06 pm
      • Reply

      Thank you Christina! It has been such a pleasure, and I look forward to your future endeavors!

  9. I loved this interview! Thank you for sharing it. Carole has become one of my dearest JAFF friends and it’s one of my biggest wishes to meet her in person and spend time together chatting away about all things related to Jane Austen!

    She has such a generous heart and I love the way she describes the JAFF community. Until you’re part of us, it’s hard to describe our love of JANE to others, which is what also makes knowing a person like Carole such a gem!

    I didn’t know she had thoughts of penning her own story… maybe she can be persuaded to reconsider this idea??

      • Carole in Canada on August 19, 2017 at 11:02 pm
      • Reply

      Oh Claudine thank you so much for your heartwarming words. Yes, you are certainly one of my dearest JAFF friends and we will meet sooner rather than later!

    • Jennifer Redlarczyk on August 20, 2017 at 9:47 am
    • Reply

    Loved this interview and Carol, you insights on JA and JAFF are just perfect. We have a great little community, don’t we! Thanks so much for sharing here and thanks Jack for the interview.

    • Carole in Canada on August 20, 2017 at 2:00 pm
    • Reply

    Thanks Jennifer! We certainly do and I’m so thrilled to be a part of it!

    1. Glad to do my little bit, Jennifer.

  10. What a wonderful interview with you, Carole!!
    Loved reading more how you first discovered our beloved Jane & your thoughts on the popularity of her writing. Spot on!! 😀 xo

      • Carole in Canada on August 21, 2017 at 11:12 am
      • Reply

      Thank you Marilyn! I had so much fun! I must say how much has been added to my life after finding Jane and JAFF and this wonderful community.

    • denise on August 20, 2017 at 10:54 pm
    • Reply

    loved the interview!

      • Carole in Canada on August 21, 2017 at 11:13 am
      • Reply

      Thank you Denise! I wonder who will be next?

    • Debbie Fortin on August 28, 2017 at 2:44 pm
    • Reply

    I enjoyed your answers to the questions. It is nice to learn more about you.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.